Fastener Taiwan 2014 to generate US$400 mil. in business

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- As the curtain falls over the biennial Taiwan International Fastener Show (Fastener Taiwan 2014) yesterday, the activity organizer expected the show to create a better-than-expected US$400 million in business.

Fastener Taiwan, the third largest trade fair for fasteners in the world, ended its two-day run yesterday at the new Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (KEC) in Southern Taiwan.

A record 350 exhibitors from Taiwan and abroad were showcasing their wares at 850 booths at the event organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade. The activity was co-organized by the Kaohsiung City Government and implemented by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute.

According to TAITRA's survey, a total of 20,000 visitors passed through the doors of Fastener Taiwan 2014, looking to spur industry output at a level of US$400 million.

A TAITRA survey showed that the number of overseas buyers attending Fastener Taiwan rose by 10.1-percent from last year, and 99 percent of international buyers expressed satisfaction over this year's show.

Over 85 percent of exhibitors told TAITRA that they plan on returning at next year's show, while registering an overall 95 percent satisfaction rate for Fastener Taiwan 2014. The high satisfaction results, TAITRA said, are attributed to the sizable visitor numbers and the total value of orders placed by international purchasers.

Japan, US Top Buying Countries List

Based on buyers' countries of origin, the 10 largest buying countries of Fastener Taiwan 2014 were Japan, the United States, China, Germany, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Italy, Canada and Indonesia, in tandem with the major export partners list of Taiwan's fastener makers.

TAITRA underscored a cheerful fact that Taiwan's fasteners have grown in popularity among buyers from emerging countries including Vietnam and Indonesia for their advantage of excellent cost-performance value.

An on-spot survey conducted by TAITRA indicated that nearly 90 percent of Fastener Taiwan 2014 buyers expressed considerable satisfaction with this year's show. Alexandre Pereira Pinto of Brazil-based Linkway told TAITRA that he has got a lot of "eureka" moments while immersed in the sea of innovative quality fastener products at the show.

U.S.-based Accurate Components Fasteners Chief Executive Officer Bob Luzum said that his company averages NT$60 million-worth in fastener purchases from Taiwan every year, saying that he is convinced that "Taiwan, the Fastener Kingdom" is not an overstatement since Taiwanese suppliers always meet his expectations.

Two staff members of a local fastener manufacturer speak about the company's products to a foreign buyer at this year's Taiwan International Fastener Show (Fastener Taiwan 2014), which ended its two-day run in Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (KEC), yesterday. (Courtesy of TAITRA)